Notaries are required to verify the signer’s identity on the basis of “satisfactory evidence,” which means either suitable identification documents or the oaths of one of two witnesses. (See What If the Signer Does Not Have a Suitable ID?)
In California. the following forms of identification are considered acceptable if they are current or issued within the last five years: An identification card or driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. A United States passport. An inmate identification card issued by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, if the inmate is in custody in California state prison. Any form of inmate identification issued by a sheriff’s department, if the inmate is in custody in a local detention facility. The following items are also acceptable, as long as the document also contains a photograph, a description of the person, the signature of the person, and an identifying number: A valid consular identification document issued by a consulate from the applicant’s country of citizenship, or a valid passport from the applicant’s country of citizenship. A driver’s license issued by another state or by a Canadian or Mexican public agency.authorized to issue driver’s licenses. An identification card issued by another state. A United States military identification card (be aware that some military identification cards might not contain all the required information). An employee identification card issued by an agency or office of the State of California, or an agency or office of a city, county, or city and county in California. An identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government.
Be sure to bring acceptable identification documents with you to your signing. If it is not possible for you to obtain one of these documents, you’ll need to provide credible witnesses.